First-person testimony · Part III

Shamrao Raoji Shrotrie

Context

Shamrao Raoji Shrotrie's brief statement appears at page 236 of Part III. "Shrotrie" is a traditional Brahmin sub-caste indicating Vedic scholarship.

About the 1936 statement

A learned-tradition witness.

Verbatim excerpt from Narasimha Swami (1940s)

nd thirsting to have the joy of visiting Baba’s samadhi, and Dwarakamai at Shirdi. So in 1934 for Ramnavami celebration when our family friends Mr.G.B.Datar and family were going to Shirdi my son accompanied them. When he went to Dwarkamai (i.e.) the mosque, he was alone with Baba’s eyes from the portrait seem to pierce into you, wherever you may stand in the hall. My son gazed with rapture at the portrait and closed his eyes. He heard then a distinct and audible voice aalas (Have you come?) That is the paren tal affectionate greeting he had. He opened his eyes and found him self alone. There was no other to utter those words of welcome, but Baba. About 8 years back, my daughter was in the family way and we had taken her to our village at Khar (some 2 or 3 miles offThana). When the delivery was to take place, there was no proper medical aid. My relations were blaming me for not providing a place atThana for the delivery. My wife and told me that it the delivery was ob structed. The child had evidently died and could not easily come out. There was great pain and anxiety was felt by the patient and by all of us. It was midnight or rather 2 A.M.

Source: B. V. Narasimha Swami, Devotees' Experiences of Sri Sai Baba (All India Sai Samaj, Madras, 1940s; reprint Akhanda Sainama Sapthaha Samithi, Hyderabad). PDF on Internet Archive · OCR full text. Excerpt matched on the term: Shrotrie. This is the canonical English excerpt; please consult the original PDF for context.